• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.8
• /
• pp.1080-1088
• /
• 2013

Our previous results showed that kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10) injections via intraperitoneal (i.p.) once daily for three weeks notably promoted the egg laying rate in quails. In order to investigate the mechanism behind the effects of Kp-10 on enhancing the egg laying rate in birds, this study focused on the alternations of lipids synthesis in liver after Kp-10 injections. 75 female quails (22 d of age) were allocated to three groups randomly, and subjected to 0 (control, Con), 10 nmol (low dosage, L) and 100 nmol (high dosage, H) Kp-10 injections via i.p. once daily for three weeks, respectively. At d 52, quails were sacrificed and sampled for further analyses. Serum $E_2$ concentration was increased by Kp-10 injections, and reached statistical significance in H group. Serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations were increased by 46.7% in L group and 36.8% in H group, respectively, but did not reach statistical significance, and TG contents in liver were significantly elevated by Kp-10 injections in a dose-dependent manner. Serum total cholesterol (Tch) concentrations significantly decreased in H group, while in H group the hepatic Tch content was markedly increased. The level of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), apolipoprotein A1 and B (apoA1 and apoB) were not altered by Kp-10 injections. The genes expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), fatty acid synthetase (FAS), apolipoprotein VLDL-II (apoVLDL-II), cholesterol $7{\alpha}$-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and vitellogenin II (VTG-II) were significantly up-regulated by high but not low dosage of Kp-10 injection compared to the control group. However, the expression of SREBP-2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase ($ACC_{\alpha}$), malic enzyme (ME), stearoyl-CoA (${\Delta}9$) desaturase 1 (SCD1), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2), 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl glutaryl-coenzyme A reductases (HMGCR), estrogen receptor ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$($ER{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$) mRNA were not affected by Kp-10 treatment. In line with hepatic mRNA abundance, hepatic SREBP1 protein content was significantly higher in H group. Although the mRNA expression was not altered, the content of $ER{\alpha}$ protein in liver was also significantly increased in H group. However, SREBP-2 protein content in liver was not changed by Kp-10 treatment. In conclusion, exogenous Kp-10 consecutive injections during juvenile stage significantly advanced the tempo of egg laying in quails, which was associated with the significant elevation in hepatic lipids synthesis and transport.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.160-168
• /
• 2016

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-characterized medicinal herb listed in the classic oriental herbal dictionary as "Shin-nong-bon-cho-kyung." Ginseng has diverse pharmacologic and therapeutic properties. Black ginseng (BG, Ginseng Radix nigra) is produced by repeatedly steaming fresh ginseng nine times. Studies of BG have shown that prolonged heat treatment enhances the antioxidant activity with increased radical scavenging activity. Several recent studies have showed the effects of BG on increased lipid profiles in mice. In this study report the effects of water and ethanol extracts of BG on hypercholesterolemia in rats. To our knowledge, this is the first time such an effect has been reported. Methods: Experiments were conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with the water and ethanol extracts of BG (200 mg/kg). Their blood cholesterol levels, serum white blood cell levels, and cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined. Liver and adipose tissues were histologically analyzed. Results: We found that BG extracts efficiently reduced the total serum cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with increased food efficiency ratio and increased number of neutrophil cells. It also attenuated the key genes responsible for lipogenesis, that is, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) acetyltransferase 2, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, at the mRNA level inside liver cells. Furthermore, the BG extract also reduced the accumulation of fat in adipose tissues, and inhibited the neutral fat content in liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Conclusion: Administration of BG extracts to Sprague Dawley rats fed with high-cholesterol diet ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, which was mediated via modulation of cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes. This data throw a light on BG's cardioprotective effects.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.9
• /
• pp.964-971
• /
• 2019

Hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance increases in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Piperine is a major compound found in black pepper (Piper nigrum) and long pepper (P. longum). Piperine has been used in fine chemical for its anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. However, the signaling-based mechanism of piperine and its role as an inhibitor of lipogenesis and insulin resistance in human hepatocyte cells remains ill-defined. In the present study, we explored the effects of piperine on lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, and explored the potential underlying molecular mechanisms in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. Piperine treatment resulted in a significant reduction of triglyceride content. Furthermore, piperine treatment decreased palmitate-treated intracellular lipid deposition by inhibiting the lipogenic target genes, sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS); whereas the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT-1) and phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) gene involved in fatty acid oxidation was increased. Moreover, piperine also inhibited the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 (Ser307). Piperine treatment modulated palmitate-treated lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in HepG2 cells with concomitant reduction of lipogenic target genes, such as SREBP-1 and FAS, and induction of CPT-1-ACC and phosphorylation of IRS-1 (Tyr632)-Akt pathways. Therefore, piperine represents a promising treatment for the prevention of lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.231-243
• /
• 2023

Objectives : Jasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum is used as a traditional or folk remedy in China to treat arthritis, hepatitis, duodenitis, conjunctivitis, gastritis, and diarrhea. In this study, we aimed to study the hepatocyte protective activity and molecular mechanism of Jasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum aqueous extract (JGW) using HepG2 hepatocyte cell lines. Methods : HepG2 cells were pretreated with diverse concentrations of JGW, and then the cells were exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) for inducing oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production, glutathione (GSH) concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell viability were measured to investigate hepato-protective effects of JGW. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinases (AMPK), acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) and effects of compound C on cell viability were examined to observe the role of AMPK on JGW-mediated cytoprotection. Results : Pretreatment with JGW (10-300 ㎍/mL) significantly suppressed cytotoxicity induced by tBHP in a concentration dependent manner and reduced the expression of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 proteins related to apoptosis in HepG2 cells. In addition, pretreatment with JGW significantly prevented the increase in H₂O₂ production, GSH depletion, and lower MMP induced by tBHP. Treatment with JGW (30 minutes of incubation and concentrations of 100 and 300 ㎍/mL) increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC and treatment with compound C, a chemical inhibitor of AMPK, inhibited the cytoprotective effect of JGW. Conclusions : Our results demonstrated that JGW may protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress via activation of AMPK.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.7
• /
• pp.1167-1179
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to fathom the underlying mechanisms of nutrition intervention and redox sensitive transcription factors regulated by Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product (FAC) dietary supplementation in broiler chickens. Methods: Four hundreds d-old broilers (41±0.5 g/bird) assigned to 5 groups were examined after consuming control diet, or control diet replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB), 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC. Liver mRNA expression of antioxidant, inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways were analyzed. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) concentration in each group were tested in the chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) of 35-d old broilers to represent the stress level of the chickens. Furthermore, these cells were stimulated with 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the cell stress tolerance by measuring cell viability and oxidative species. Results: Heme oxygenase-1, glutathione S-transferase, glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit, and superoxide dismutase, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) that regulates the above antioxidant genes were all up-regulated significantly in FAC groups. Reactive oxygen species modulator protein 1 and NADPH oxygenase 1 were both rather down-regulated in 10% FAC group as comparison with two WB groups. Despite expressing higher level than control group, birds receiving diet containing FAC had significantly lower expression level in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and other genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-richcontaining family, pyrin domain-containing-3, and cyclooxygenase 2) involving in inflammatory pathways. Additionally, except for 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase that showed relatively higher in both groups, the WB, lipoprotein lipase, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid binding protein, fatty acid desaturase 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha genes were expressed at higher levels in 10% FAC group. In support of above results, promoted Nrf2 and inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation in chicken liver were found in FAC containing groups. H₂O₂ and NO levels induced by LPS and AAPH in cPBMCs were compromised in FAC containing diet. In 35-d-old birds, PGE₂ production in cPBMCs was also suppressed by the FAC diet. Conclusion: FAC may promote Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and positively regulate lipid metabolism, both are potential inhibitor of NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.525-533
• /
• 2015

The effect of the hot water extract of defatted green tea seed cake (GTSE) on lipid metabolism and the underlying mechanisms of lipolysis in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated. In this study, we found that the naringenin content of GTSE was 5.5 mg/g; however, catechins were not detected. The intracellular lipid droplets were stained with Oil Red O dye and quantified. Compared to the control, lipid accumulation was significantly decreased by 52%, and intracellular triglyceride (TG) level was reduced by 33% after treatment with GTSE at a concentration of $40{\mu}g/mL$. To determine the mechanism of reduction in TG content, we determined the level of fatty acid synthase (FAS), phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) in the cell model. Incubation of the 3T3-L1 adipocytes with GTSE stimulated AMPK and ACC phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, and decreased the expression of FAS.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.272-277
• /
• 2019

The effects of medium-chain enriched diacylglycerol (MCE-DAG) oil on hepatic cholesterol homeostasis were investigated. HepG2 hepatocytes were treated with either 0.5, 1.0, or $1.5{\mu}g/mL$ of MCE-DAG for 48 h. There was no evidence of cytotoxicity by MCE-DAG up to $1.5{\mu}g/mL$. The level of proteins for cholesterol uptake including CLATHRIN and LDL receptor increased by MCE-DAG in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Furthermore, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, an inhibitor of LDLR, was dose-dependently diminished (p<0.05), indicating cholesterol clearance raised. MCE-DAG significantly increased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase2 (p<0.05), required for cholesterol synthesis, and their transcriptional regulator sterol regulatory element-binding protein2 (p<0.05). These findings suggest that given conditions of prolonged sterol fasting in the current study activated both hepatic cholesterol synthesis and clearance by MCE-DAG. However, total intracellular level of cholesterol was not altered by MCE-DAG. Taken together, MCE-DAG has the potential to prevent hypercholesterolemia by increasing hepatic cholesterol uptake without affecting intracellular cholesterol level.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.221-229
• /
• 2013

This paper reviews current status of weed control practices in herbicide-resistant crops to examine weed management strategies in cope with cropping herbicide-resistant crops in the near future. Herbicide-resistant crops were rapidly adopted weed management technologies due to broad-spectrum weed control without crop injury. Transgenic glyphosate-resistant cultivars in soybean, corn, canola, and cotton were adopted to manage weeds at lower cost in a simplified weed management system. Dual stack crops with glyphosate and glufosinate resistance were developed to control glyphosate resistant weeds in corn, soybean and cotton. New multiple herbicide-resistant crops with resistance to glyphosate and glufosinate, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, synthetic auxin herbicides, 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors or acetyl Coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors will expended the utility of existing herbicide technologies to manage the evolution of resistant weeds. However, herbicide resistant crops alone cannot solve weed problems and thus studies on diverse weed managements using an array of alternating herbicides of mode of action, mechanical, and cultural practices are needed for integrated weed management systems in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.789-796
• /
• 2016

The anti-lipogenic effect of cereal samples on high sucrose diet (HSD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice was studied. We divided C57BL/6 mice into various groups based on 8 weeks of treatment with three types of cereal samples (HSD+WR, HSD diet containing 40% white rice; HSD+MCG, HSD diet containing 40% mixed cereal grain; HSD+AO-MCG, HSD diet containing 40% mixed antiobesity-cereal grain). After the experimental period, body weight changes, liver weights, serum lipid profiles, and hepatic fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression levels were determined. We found that HSD+WR, HSD+MCG, and HSD+AO-MCG treatments reduced body weight and liver weight, especially HSD+MCG and HSD+AO-MCG effectively reduced levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased compared to the control group. Furthermore, expression of hepatic lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1, cluster of differentiation, and $PPAR-{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ${\gamma}$) decreased, whereas expression of ${\beta}-oxidation$ genes such as $PPAR-{\alpha}$ and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 increased following HSD+MCG and HSD+AO-MCG treatment compared with levels in HSD+WR and control groups. These results suggest that the functional cereal samples, especially HSD+AO-MCG treatment, improved hepatic steatosis triggered by an HSD-induced imbalance in hepatic lipid metabolism.